Behavioral Health Technician

Independence Health System Careers•Latrobe, PA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role involves delivering direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies and standards. The technician will collect, document, and report patient care data, interact with patients, make observations of their behaviors, and report and record them in a timely manner. The position requires demonstrating good interview techniques, problem-solving skills using critical thinking, and knowledge of the chain of command. The technician will act as a patient advocate, assist with departmental compliance with regulatory agencies, and participate in performance improvement activities. Effective communication with patients, peers, families, and the treatment team is essential. Responsibilities include returning patient/family phone calls, using computer systems for various tasks, providing and documenting patient/family education, and participating in staff education. The role involves collaborating with the Emergency Room Department and the Behavioral Health treatment team to provide crisis solutions, communicating pertinent information during shift reports and transfers, and contacting other treatment facilities for patient transfers. A key function is performing crisis assessments in the Emergency Department to determine the appropriate level of care and completing voluntary/involuntary commitments. Obtaining insurance authorization for psychiatric treatment and serving as a preceptor for new hires are also part of the role. The technician will assume appropriate team roles during code situations and respond effectively during emergencies, including disasters. Maintaining a safe and clean environment, understanding and utilizing principles of non-violent crisis intervention, and attending yearly crisis intervention classes are required. The role involves interacting with and observing guests for signs of anxiety or agitation, consulting with staff regarding early intervention, and assisting with interventions using a strength-based, least restrictive approach. The technician must know how to use panic buttons and call security. Understanding and utilizing the Principles of Recovery, recognizing self-determination and self-direction, supporting informed decision-making, and exhibiting respectful, culturally sensitive behavior are crucial. Collaboration with community agencies and serving on hospital committees are also expected. Creativity in treatment across various settings, flexibility in scheduling, proficient oral and written communication skills, functional PC and software skills (Microsoft Office), and knowledge of basic office equipment are necessary. The ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments is also required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology or related field.
Strong leadership ability.
Good organizational skills.
Independent and critical thinking skills.
Sound judgment.
Knowledge of legal aspects and liability within the behavioral health area.
Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program.
Act 33 with renewal.
Act 34 with renewal.
Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal.

Nice To Haves

One (1) year experience in an acute psychiatric inpatient setting, mental health crisis response service or related behavioral health program.

Responsibilities

Delivers direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care.
Collects, documents, and reports ongoing patient care data as directed.
Interacts with assigned patients, makes pertinent observations of patients' behaviors, and reports and records them in a timely manner.
Demonstrates good interview techniques with phone contacts/patient/family/significant others and documents accordingly.
Demonstrates leadership by utilizing the behaviors inherent to the role of Behavioral Health Assessment Team Clinician.
Demonstrates an ability to solve problems utilizing critical thinking skills and seek assistance from immediate supervisors when appropriate.
Demonstrates knowledge of chain of command; refers patient questions/requests information to appropriate supervisor.
Effectively functions as a resource person.
Acts as patient advocate.
Assists in the department's compliance with state, JCAHO, OSHA, and other regulatory agencies.
Assists in preparation for inspection and surveys.
Adheres to the infection control process, including standard precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting infections.
Participates in ongoing unit performance improvement activities.
Communicates effectively with patients/peers/families/treatment team.
Returns patient/family phone calls and documents.
Uses computer as required for E-mail, scheduling, authorizations, insurance tracking, etc.
Provides and participates in educational activities.
Provides and documents patient/family education.
Participates in staff education, both as participant and presenter.
Makes recommendations for staff development.
Serves on hospital committees and participates in other related projects as directed.
Works collaboratively with the Emergency Room Department and Behavioral Health treatment team to affect an effective comprehensive crisis solution.
Communicates pertinent information on actual/potential problems to the professional staff.
Communicates pertinent information at shift reports and during internal and external transfers.
Contacts other treatment facilities regarding transfer of psychiatric patients (if transfer is necessary).
Performs crisis assessments in the Emergency Department to determine the most appropriate level of care.
Completes voluntary/involuntary commitments when applicable out of the Emergency Department or on the medical units.
Obtains insurance authorization as appropriate for psychiatric treatment.
Performs effectively in the role of preceptor to new hires.
Assumes appropriate team role during code situations or mock codes.
Responds effectively during emergency situations, including internal and external disasters.
Assists in maintaining a safe and clean environment for guests, families and staff.
Understands and utilizes principles of non-violent crisis intervention.
Attends yearly crisis intervention class.
Interacts with and observes guests for any signs of increased anxiety and/or agitation and consults with peer and professional staff regarding early intervention strategies.
Assists, as needed, in interventions to address the needs of troubled or agitated guests, using a strength-based, least restrictive approach in all interactions.
Knows how to use panic button and how to call Security for assistance as needed.
Understands and utilizes the Principles of Recovery as they apply to crisis/emergent episodes of care.
Recognizes that recovery is a person-centered/person-driven process.
Recognizes that self-determination and/or self-direction are the foundation of person-centered care.
Supports the empowerment of all individuals to make informed decisions regarding their care and exhibits a strength-based approach to crisis intervention.
Exhibits respectful, culturally sensitive behavior and attitude toward all guests and their families.
Works collaboratively with community agencies involved in the service delivery plan.
Serves on hospital committees and participates in other related projects.
Demonstrates creativity in treatment in various settings including inpatient, skilled nursing and outpatient clinics.
Ability to transition smoothly between various treatment settings.
Flexibility in scheduling.
Proficient oral and written communication skills.
Functional Skills on PC and Related Software (Microsoft Office).
Knowledge of basic Office Equipment such as copier, fax machine, etc.
Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments.
Other duties as assigned.